University of Sunderland

The University of Sunderland is a public university in North East England, with campuses in Sunderland, London, and Hong Kong. It maintains a large, well-established international student population and is notable for publishing a clearly defined postgraduate entry route for applicants holding a Third Class honours degree.

Institution size

Mid-to-large

Min. CGPA floor

2:2 (Lower Second)

Tuition / yr

£14k–£18k

Type

Public university

Key Facts

Admission Requirements for Low Classification Applicants

• Standard postgraduate entry: 2:2 (Lower Second) honours degree or equivalent
• Extended Master’s route: explicitly accepts a Third Class honours degree or equivalent
• Exceptional cases may be considered at the discretion of the programme leader, sometimes following an interview
• Requirements should be confirmed directly with Sunderland’s admissions team against the applicant’s specific transcript

How the Extended Master’s Route Works

The Extended Master’s runs approximately 15 months, compared to a standard 12-month UK master’s. The additio

Tuition and Fees

Confirm current rates directly with Sunderland’s international admissions office.

Programmes Offered

• Business Management and MBA
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Media and Journalism
• Extended Master’s routes across multiple subject areas

Degree Levels Offered

• Diploma / Certificate: Offered
• Undergraduate (Bachelor’s): Offered
• Postgraduate (Master’s / MSc / MA): Offered
• Doctorate (PhD): Offered
• Post-Doctoral Fellowship: Not offered at this institution
• Short Courses: Offered

Availability of Short Courses and Post-Doctoral Fellowship positions can vary by department and is not always centrally advertised; confirm current openings directly with the relevant faculty.

Scholarships and Funding

• International merit scholarships available on a competitive basis for postgraduate applicants
• Award values and eligibility vary by intake and campus (Sunderland, London, or Hong Kong)
• Extended Master’s applicants should confirm whether scholarship eligibility applies across the full extended duration or only the standard-length equivalent

Application Process

1. Contact Sunderland’s admissions team to confirm eligibility for the Extended Master’s based on the applicant’s specific transcript
2. Book IELTS or equivalent English language testing
3. Prepare transcripts, personal statement, and references
4. Apply through Sunderland’s international application portal
5. Receive Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) upon accepting the offer and paying the deposit
6. Apply for a UK Student visa using the CAS number and financial evidence

Admission Outlook

Sunderland is one of the few UK universities to state plainly, rather than through vague language, that a Third Class degree is accepted through a defined pathway. This makes application planning considerably more predictable than at universities where low-classification admission depends on informal case-by-case judgement.

Campus Life

Sunderland’s North East England campus offers a lower cost of living than the university’s London campus. Course availability and costs can differ between locations, so applicants should confirm which campus hosts their specific programme before finalising a budget.

International students generally have access to a dedicated international student office, orientation programming, and student clubs and societies. Housing options typically include on-campus or university-affiliated accommodation alongside private rental options; applicants should apply for housing as early as possible after accepting an offer, since availability varies by intake and city.

Other Essential Information

Official Resources

• University homepage: sunderland.ac.uk

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